Fuel Smarts

Milwaukee Adds CNG Refuse Trucks, Public CNG Stations

The City of Milwaukee passed a resolution approving the conversion of 20 refuse trucks to CNG, as well as a resolution that would allow the city to sell CNG fuel to the public, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

With a $3.6 million federal stimulus grant, the city has purchased eight CNG-powered refuse trucks, and 13 more will be delivered in July. Twenty additional CNG-powered trucks will be purchased with another $2.4 million federal grant and $600,848 in city money. These new vehicles will mean that almost one-third of the city's 129 refuse trucks will be powered by CNG, the paper reports.

The city also built two CNG fueling stations, at 3921 W. Lincoln Ave. and 3025 W. Ruby Ave, open to the publie. CNG purchases will require credit or debit cards to avoid using the time of city workers, according to the legislation.

There are already 11 public CNG stations operating in southeastern Wisconsin.

In Milwaukee, CNG fuel prices range from $1.90 to $2.20 for the equivalent of a gallon, according to the CNGPrices.com website. That compares to the area's average of $3.76 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline and close to $4 for diesel fuel, according to the AAA Fuel Price Finder website.